My objective is to duplicate the sound of a good jazz venue as best I can. I'll never match it but getting close is fine. I've had various audio components through the years and tubes particularly DHT tubes/ASSET have gotten me the closest. So this is where I will settle down and appreciate.
Balanced AC power is fantastic !! 1800va balanced isolation transformer/conditioner. All aspects of music reproduction are improved for every single component.
Tripoint Tripoint Troy.
A wonderful grounding box component. When added to my system it increased the sense of natural sound quality and emotional engagement. The Troy has a humanistic and “soulful “ quality to it.
Coincident Speaker Tech Total eclipse 2
This wonderful speaker is transparent,open and involving. It`s large yet completely disappears as the source of sound within the room. Very easy to drive,94db and 14 0hm impedance (Minimum 10 ohm). I replaced the stock Solens capacitor with the Duelund CAST in the crossover.
Coincident Statement linestage
Superb performance. In my opinion , a masterpiece by Israel Blume. As would be expected, a wonderful match with its sibling the Frankenstein MK II.
Coincident Speaker Tech Frankenstein mark 2
A terrific 300b SET amplifier that is the foundation of my system. The EML XLS 300b tubes are a superb match with this amplifier.
Acquiring these 300b SET mono blocks changed the course of my music listening experience. They elevated the emotional engagement, tactility and “breath of life “ realism.
Yamamoto YDA-01
Wonderful music lover's DAC that has a very natural/organic sound quality. Duelund CAST addition(output coupling capacitors) makes it sound even better. It has a very minimalist circuit/design that was implemented well.
Ocellia Silver Reference IC
Very natural and pure sounding with excellent tone and timbre preservation.
Ocellia Silver Reference Speaker Cable
Same qualities/ comments as the IC.
Star Sound Technologies Sistrum Apprentice component platforms..
These Star Sound platforms are mandatory in my system. Effectively managing resonance and vibration leads to a very noticeable sound improvement with every component and especially the speakers. Excellent product.
High Fidelity CT1 Ultimate Digital cable
A highly impressive digital cable that mates beautifully into my system. Contributes to the natural sound presentation.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems CD Box RS2T
This is a superb Redbook CD playback transport. It’s both high resolution and impressively natural.
. I’m using the excellent Fidelizer Nikola II LPS. Splendid pairing.
Lavricables Grand and Master series Power Cables.
Pure silver wire and unshielded power cables. These are used with all of my audio components. They are very open, transparent, high resolution with beautiful natural tone and timbre presentation.
Abbas Esoteric Audio 3.2SE
Built by renown Ukrainian Abbas Zulfugarov. NOS DAC utilizing the classic Phillips TDA 1541 multi bit chip. Two 6080 tubes in the analog stage. 5 various rectifier tubes in the power supplies.
3 separate toroidal transformers (And 2 chokes ) for the power supplies.A very serious and successful upper tier DAC implementation. Using with the Abbas SPDIF and power cable.
Thanks Charles! I took the next step today and rolled in a pair of NOS 2a3s one branded GE the other Raytheon, so matched but not matching. And wow a serious increase in midrange density and depth!
Charles they arrived yesterday did some listening last night then some tube rolling this morning and more listening all day. First impressions are wonderful transparency and detail and the tube roll was replacing Sovtek 6SN7s with some 60s RCA GTBs. That relaxed the sound and gave it even more lovely tone. Fantastic sounding amps and dead quiet in my system quite a feat for a SET amp! Tube complement is one EH 2a3 one RCA 6SN7 and one RCA 5Y3 rectifier per amp.
Hey Charles sorry for not being totally clear they actually shipped today so sitting here with nervous anticipation which I thought I put behind me long ago lol. I will definitely post some impressions when they arrive likely next week.
Charles thanks for the detailed reply the Abbas sounds like a great Dac. And also I wanted to let you know on a whim I bought a pair of Wright Audio 3.5 monoblocks 2a3 SETs. It's been years since I've had an SET amp on hand and love the 2a3 tube so very excited! I know you as a diehard SET guy will appreciate that.
You are so very right talk about one more I was up until the wee hours last night err this morning waking up in front of the system at 5am before toddling off to bed! Engagement and connection is right that's been the focus of my system from the time I first got Deja Vu amps in the system. Both the Yamamoto Dac and AN Dac complement the overall system sound in a dramatic colorful way. I would say their differences matter less than their similarities if that makes sense?
Thank you Charles and hi Dan. Charles it's funny after I decided to buy my Dac back I went and reread everything I could find on it in anticipation. Naturally that brought up a ton of your posts. Here is how musical and lovable the Yamamoto is I bought it on the condition I sell it back if I decided to move on. My friend Matt wasn't even using the Yamamoto full time he has a Pass Labs Dac in his main system but still wanted it around. That's love, and great sound! And working my way through an old fave Miles Davis In Person Fri and Sat Nights at the Blackhawk Complete. Cheers!
Hey Charles I thought I would also say hi and let you know my Yamamoto YDA-1 has returned. I bought it back from the fine gentleman I sold it to 5 years ago. It sounds as fantastic as ever and I doubt I'll let it go again even after my refurbished AN Dac-3 is returned to me. I hope you're well and enjoying the music. And @islandmandan Happy 75th Birthday!!
Nocturne was indeed great Charles I ended up listening to it twice! Then some more ON right now listening to Fantabulous. Not sure where I'm headed after this but if I find something good I'll let you know.
Right on Charles I've been listening since 11AM this morning. And all our conversation about Oliver Nelson got me in the mood for him so listening now to More Blues and the Abstract Truth, then Nocturne, then Three Shade of Blue, then Meet Oliver Nelson. It's a big band Oliver Nelson kind of night!
Charles they were arranged by Oliver Nelson I think that's different than producing but could be the same thing. Great Scott! seemed to be with Nelson's orchestra it was definitely a large band with multiple horns. For Members Only was a small group session organ, drums, bass. Both were very good and yes indeed I seem to find new jazz to listen to constantly. Which is great as I listen so much these days!
Charles I found neither recording but i did find Hustlin' and Let It Go both with Stanley Turrentine and both were fantastic. After listening to Charles Earlands hot organ playing Shirley Scott's cool playing was a revelation.
I then got sidetracked when looking for the two Blue records I instead found The Francy Boland Orchestra Blue Flame/ Red Hot/ White Heat which was great. Now listening to Louis Armstrong Black and Blue a classic. After that back to Shirley Scott her Trio two recordings arranged by Oliver Nelson, Great Scott! and For Members Only.
Things are sounding great here Charles thanks for all the recs! :)
Charles thanks for the rec I've heard of Shirley Scott but haven't listened much I will check out Blue Flame and Blue Seven later tonight if I find them streaming.
And glad you knew Charles Earland so well your taste is of course impeccable Charles. :)
Thanks Charles I love Thelonius and have both of those fantastic recordings! Thanks to the joys of streaming today I've fallen down a Charles Earland rabbit hole if you enjoy organ playing in the vein of Jimmy Smith check out The Almighty Burner.
Hey Charles happy Memorial day weekend! Sitting here listening to The Wynton Marsalis Quartet Live at Blues Alley on a rainy day here. Hope you're having a good one!
Charles yes I do understand I am the same way I plumb the internet looking for new recs and try out lots of stuff on Qobuz. Right now listening to a very nice album Four Flights Up by the David Hazeltine Quartet featuring Slide Hampton. A nice range of tunes some high energy pieces and lovely ballads I think you might dig it. :)
Charles great to hear you're still a jazz fiend me too. :) Qobuz has helped with that tremendous sound and excellent jazz catalog. Looking forward to exchanging jazz recs again, cheers!
Charles indeed the camaraderie is really missed and glad to see your system is still the same. It means you love it just as much now which is a rare thing these days.
Charles just wondering if you've auditioned any Audio Note dacs against your Yammie? I had an oops moment on a lark put in what I thought was a way too low bid on an Audio Note Dac3 Signature and won! So its on the way, going to make some comparisons myself obviously but since I trust your ears wondering if you have any AN dac experience? Thanks, Jon
Charles another rec for you pianist Chris McGregor the album is African Sound, really swinging but also very relaxed and some great horns and percussion.
Charles another jazz rec for you, familiar with saxophonist Tim Warfield? Check out "Gentle Warrior" and "Jazz Is.." both top notch in a very cool laid-back style.
Man quiet around here lol. Here's a good one for you Charles, Cyrus Chestnut "Soul Brother Cool" with Freddie Hendrix on trumpet, Dezron Douglas on bass, Willie Jones on drums. Nice and mellow great playing and a really relaxed groove, I saw Cyrus do a solo show once he's tremendous and really understand the importance of quiet. Cheers!
Man quiet around here lol. Here's a good one for you Charles, Cyrus Chestnut "Soul Brother Cool" with Freddie Hendrix on trumpet, Dezron Douglas on bass, Willie Jones on drums. Nice and mellow great playing and a really relaxed groove, I saw Cyrus do a solo show once he's tremendous and really understand the importance of quiet. Cheers!
Man quiet around here lol. Here's a good one for you Charles, Cyrus Chestnut "Soul Brother Cool" with Freddie Hendrix on trumpet, Dezron Douglas on bass, Willie Jones on drums. Nice and mellow great playing and a really relaxed groove, I saw Cyrus do a solo show once he's tremendous and really understand the importance of quiet. Cheers!
Man quiet around here lol. Here's a good one for you Charles, Cyrus Chestnut "Soul Brother Cool" with Freddie Hendrix on trumpet, Dezron Douglas on bass, Willie Jones on drums. Nice and mellow great playing and a really relaxed groove, I saw Cyrus do a solo show once he's tremendous and really understand the importance of quiet. Cheers!
Charles that's very cool! I think you will love Leon Bridges then I can't stop listening to this CD despite the Motown feel it sounds very fresh and new at the same time, I love the production style and Leon's voice is tremendous and distinctive.
Another rec, not sure if you like the motown style sound at all Charles but I am listening right now to Leon Bridges Coming Home and its a nice fusion of jazz, blues, and motown. Very fun listening check it out!
Charles so glad to hear you like it! And thanks for your rec listening to Harold Land, Tidal didn't have West Coast Blues but enjoying Grooveyard at the moment.
Charles I tend to call that style of music atmospheric, it can be very relaxing to listen to at times and is usually well recorded. I would put a lot of Bill Frissell and Paul Motian into that category, two artists I really like and pretty sure at some point they both recorded with ECM.
Charles I have one for you Kirk Knuffke a really gifted trumpet player, his music is bit like an experimental Miles Davis style, think stripped down Sketches of Spain. His album Arms and Hands is really worth checking out. Cheers!
Charles, Yes the Yamamoto makes fine music indeed I pair it with my Sonos to great effect and lossless files on Tidal were the final frontier in streaming for me! Highly recommended if you ever choose to go that route. Jon
Ok Charles I feel totally stupid now! Thelonious Monk is indeed there I just did a bad search! Listening to Monk's Music now one of my all time favorite albums! Cheers!
Charles nothing can be available for streaming unless the artist or his estate licenses the music I assume that's the case with Monk unfortunately. I did listen to a lot of Bobby Broom last night and I thought "My Shining Hour" was really fantastic, a more "fun" album than "Plays for Monk". And I listen to CD's from time to time but I've completely stopped purchasing them, I'm sure I'll come across Tardo eventually online. Thanks again for the great recs!
Charles, I really enjoyed the Warren Vache with Tardo really lyrical and flowing very relaxing to listen to. Sadly none of Tardo's recording are on Tidal so that's my only chance to hear him. Listening to Bobby Broom Plays for Monk now, great guitar and nice to hear some Monk tunes. Tidal has a bunch of Bobby Broom but no Thelonious Monk I'm sure that's a licensing issue. Thanks for the recs Charles!
Charles, Thanks for the recs, found both Bobby Broom albums on Tidal will give them a listen. Searched for Tardo Hammer and came across a record by Warren Vache featuring Tardo Hammer it's called Ballads and Other Cautionary Tales. Will give it a listen and report back. Cheers!
Charles glad to hear your system is still intact lol. Still running your Yamamoto dac? The better things get in my own system the more sure I am that dac is never going to leave!
Charles where did your system go? I stopped by to see what was new, cool pics but your list of equipment is blank? Working on a massive revision perhaps? Cheers, Jon
